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Sacramento, CA

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Best time to visit

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The best time to visit Sacramento, California, is in the spring (April to June) and fall (September to November), when the weather is mild, and outdoor activities are in full swing. During these months, temperatures typically range from the 70s to 90s, making it ideal for exploring the city’s parks, rivers, and cultural events. Spring brings a host of outdoor festivals and concerts to the region, accompanied by vibrant scenery such as the Almond Bloom in February and March. This season also offers activities like rafting on California’s rivers, which run strong from April through September.

Summer, especially July, tends to bring extreme heat and drought conditions, but it’s also the time when many of Sacramento’s popular events, like the California State Fair, occur. Despite the heat, visitors can still enjoy local swimming spots like the South Yuba River or venture to nearby attractions such as Lake Tahoe for cooler escapes.

Winter (November to February) brings fewer crowds and moderate rainfall. It’s a great time to see seasonal spectacles like the Monticello Dam Spillway and Phantom Falls. Holiday events, including the Sacramento Christmas Lights and New Year’s Eve celebrations, also light up the city during this quieter season.

30 things to do in Sacramento, CA

Rafting

April–September Activity

California's rivers are strong, fast, and full of water flow

Skiing at Lake Tahoe

late November–late April (best in February) Activity

Magical sparkling scenery and a wide range of activities attract people to Lake Tahoe each winter

Sutter Buttes

late October–mid-May Nature

Some enthusiasts try to reach the summit of the highest mountains in the world, but how about the smallest?

California State Fair

July 12-28, 2024 Event

The Fair has been attracting people for over 150 years. Come and join this spectacular celebration

Monticello Dam Morning Glory Spillway

November–March Nature

An enormous drain hole which looks a portal into another world is especially impressive during the rainy season

California International Marathon

December 8, 2024 Event

With spectacular State Capitol Finish this marathon features an easy downhill course and can help you to qualify for the Boston Marathon

Cool Patch Pumpkins Corn Maze

late September–October Activity

Kick off the holiday season and get lost in the world’s largest corn maze

Bassi Falls

April–June (best in late April–May) Activity

A beautiful and popular site in El Dorado county

Phantom Falls

November–April Nature

This waterfall is as hard to find as its name suggests

South Yuba River Swimming Holes

March–October Activity

A great way to relax during hot summer days

Loch Leven Lakes

June–November Activity

A beautiful chain of lakes high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Napa Valley Harvest Season

August–December Activity

Watch Napa Valley come to life with the thrill and rush of the harvest

Almond Bloom

mid-February–early March Nature

The first sign of spring on the Pacific Coast

California Fall Colors

late September–early November Nature

Admire bronze and amber foliage throughout the Golden State

Sacramento Christmas Lights

mid-November–late December Event

Witness a beautiful holiday transformation of the city when entire neighborhoods dress to impress

New Year's Eve in Sacramento

December 31 Event

Have a blast at Sactown's top NYE celebrations

Lunar New Year in Sacramento

February 10, 2024 | February 24, 2024 Event

Flower Tet Festival and other festive events

Sandhill Crane Migration in California

late September–February Nature

Central Valley hosts thousands of wintering sandhill cranes

Fall Colors

mid-October–mid-November Nature

Autumn shows off spectacular foliage in the vineyards of California's Wine Country

Yountville Live

late March Event

The food capital of Napa Valley showcases some gourmet music

Halloween in Sacramento: Ghost Tours, Zombie Walk & Seasonal Events

late October Event

Zombies, ghosts and haunted houses—Sacramento has it all!

Sac Comic-Con

March 9–10, 2024 Event

A full day of family-friendly entertainment for the fans of pop culture

Capitol Beer Fest

March 4, 2023 Event

An epic Saturday afternoon packed with beer and live entertainment

Rocklin Brewfest

June 1, 2024 Event

Savor craft beers at Johnson-Springview Park, a 30-minute drive from Sacramento

Sacramento 4th of July Parades and Fireworks

July 4, 2024 Event

Explore the best annual events in Sacramento and its suburbs

Lincoln 4th of July Parade & Events

July 4 Event

A traditional family-friendly celebration near Sacramento

KVMR Celtic Festival

May 3-5, 2024 Event

A fun-filled weekend fair with five musical and six demonstration stages

Marysville Peach Festival

July 19-20, 2025 Event

The sweetest fest in the West

Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival

October 5-6, 2024 Event

Seize the opportunity to spot a one-ton pumpkin and canoes carved from orange behemoths

Coast Starlight Train Trip

all year round Activity

The 35-hour Coast Starlight journey passes through astonishing views of the Cascade Range, Mount Shasta, and the Pacific Ocean shoreline

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